I haven’t shared our full curriculum list for the 2015-16 school year yet, but our elective subject has a much shorter list, so I thought I’d start there. Turkey asked if we could learn about Asia this year, so on Fridays, we’re studying various Asian countries (so far this includes China, Japan, Korea, and India). I’ve tried to include some non-fiction, some folktales, and some award-winning books set in Asian countries. This study also involves some fun, hands-on activities. It’s still something of a work in progress, but here’s what’s in our book basket so far:

• All About China
• Eyewitness: China
• Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities, and Recipes
• D is for Dancing Dragon: A China Alphabet
• All About Japan
• Japanese Traditions: Rice Cakes, Cherry Blossoms, and Matsuri
• All About Korea
• A Grain of Rice
• Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog
• The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration
• Clueless in Tokyo
• Squeamish about Sushi
• Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun
• You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Samurai
• You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Ninja Warrior!
• A Treasury of Japanese Folktales
• Suki’s Kimono
• Haiku
• Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China
• The Story about Ping
• You Wouldn’t Want to Work on the Great Wall of China!
• Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze
• Li Lun, Lad of Courage
• The Emperor’s Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China
• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
• The Drum: A Folktale from India
• My Dadima Wears a Sari
• Chinese Fashions
• Samurai Warriors Coloring Book
• Fashions from India
• Origami for Beginners
• Calligraphy for Kids
• Tangrams
• Wooden Sushi Slicing Playset